SR Exclusive Video Part: Josh Smukal

For the past year and a half Josh Smukal has been almost secretly working on a video part. Finally, all his hard work has paid off and he has accumulated enough footage to finish the part. One thing that is great working with Josh on filming is that even if he doesnʼt quite understand what my intentions are for ideas, he is always willing to try things out. In this video part I would ask him things like “Hey, could you ride in front of ten different textured walls in different locations? We need to fill four seconds of video in the intro.”

Or, “Hey I am going to put my camera in the back of my car and film you riding around the city. Push as hard as you can for a couple miles.” He was willing to do all these things, and the finished product is not just a compilation of his best tricks, but a well groomed story of his lifestyle. Josh is pushing to make a place for himself in the scooter community. This video part will solidify what he has to offer as a rider, and set the bar for his next video projects to come.

Josh Smukal SR Video Part Interview

By means of persistent hard work and long hours you were able to make this part. What was driving you to do it?

I really just wanted to have my own first actual part. People were starting to notice me it seemed, and I didnʼt have many edits out. When I saw the feedback from people on my last edit “Josh Smukal Cali Mix”, it got me hyped to start filming more and harder.

Did you always have the intention of making this part when you started?

Honestly no. I was just filming for another little spring video or something and then I got a clip that I was really hyped on, so I just came to the conclusion that I wanted to make this video my best so far and make it my first full part, just for myself.

After sacking this rail josh was able to get on top and whip out.

Days like this would happen frequently. We would try to go out and get something, but the spot was too hard to ride. A short hike to a spot turned into a fun session however.

You worked on this part for the most of the time without being sponsored. Traveling and getting scooter parts is hard because of this. Since you have experienced both sides, what can you say about the difference of zero budget films like this one, where itʼs just riders doing it for themselves compared to a company that is funding it?

Thereʼs definitely some differences between not having a sponsor and having a sponsor while I was filming for this. When I had a sponsor, I was able to go out to California and film. It opened up a whole new range of spots to go to. Not having a sponsor and being stuck in Columbus definitely made me open up my mind a lot more. I needed to think more creatively at spots because Iʼve been to them so many times and I wanted to throw down tricks that wouldn’t have been known there. The money difference was a bit of a struggle too, but it didnʼt bother me at all. I try not to depend on money too much, money sucks.

Jordan and Josh look at the footage after Josh went over the classic Columbus pyramid spot.

Kyle, Jordan, and Josh inspecting shoes in Cincinnati.

Josh taking it back to 1980.

They are making efforts to modernize Columbus. This new bridge has a few spots on it to take advantage of.

We stumbled upon this spot in Cincinnati. It was a fun stall box.

It also had a bank to wall. It isnʼt easy to get up to the stall block fakie. Josh battled it until it was almost too dark to film.

This Cincinnati spot is more confusing than it is fun.

Although you have footage from around America in places like California and Florida, most of the footage is filmed in Columbus, Ohio. Was this a challenge to be able to find enough spots to film at in your hometown?

There were some difficulties trying to find spots. I think this is my first video thatʼs not stuck in the Westerville trap. I think it really helped once you moved back here last summer; I got to film at a lot of new spots that you found. I just had to really think beyond my mind set at some spots, try and do stuff I didnʼt think I could do.

How does it feel to film for over a year and then see the final result?

I am so stoked on my footage. Itʼs a great feeling knowing how long I spent on this. I honestly wanted to spend more time but I thought a year was enough, maybe if I were filming for an actual sponsors video, Iʼd spend more time. I am usually pretty antsy to release my footage but I am glad I spent the time I did on this part. I definitely think itʼs all worth it in the end.

The gear was always heavy for multiple angles when we went out.

Another spot in the depths of Columbus that seems like the only reason it was made was to ride.

After a rolled ankle Josh munches on a sub.

Josh gets behind the lens also.

Now that this part is coming out, people are going to start noticing your riding more. You are creating an audience for your riding. Is this going to change your intentions when filming a video part?

No, Iʼm just going to keep doing what I do; Iʼm always trying to film bangers no matter what. The only thing Iʼll change is getting more gnarly, now that people are actually watching my videos rather than getting like 10 views on my YouTube channel.

Do you have any plans for future video projects?

Iʼd like to make a full length with the bus bois but its pretty difficult. Iʼm just gonna see what the future holds for me, if I get a sponsor, Iʼll start filming for them, if not, still just going to keep filming for myself.

First try double whip soaring into the street

During the off season this public pool drains everything, unknowingly creating a skatepark.

Is there anyone you would like to thank?

Definitely, thank you Dylan for making this even possible. Thank you Proto, TSI, 5starr, Tilt and Lumen. Thanks to everyone that helped film, supplied me a place to crash on trips and anything else I cant think of at the moment, thank you.